Smock Alley Theatre, 1662 was the first custom built theatre in Dublin City and still remains in substantially the same form, making it one of the most important sites in European theatre history.
Smock Alley Theatre, 1662 was the first theatre outside London to receive the title of Theatre Royal, but, because it had been built on land reclaimed from the Liffey, the building was unstable and the gallery collapsed twice. It was rebuilt in 1735.
The theatre closed in 1787. The building was then used as a whiskey store until Father Michael Blake bought it to set up a church. When the bell tolled in 1811, 18 years before the Catholic Emancipation, the first Catholic bell to ring in Dublin in nearly 300 years was heard. The façade boasts ornate stained glass windows and the original ceiling plasterwork remain in the Smock Alley as a witness of this time.
After a six year renovation, Smock Alley Theatre, 1662 reopened its doors as Dublin’s oldest newest theatre in May 2012. With three gorgeous venues, Smock Alley is the perfect place to spend a cultural evening out. They partner with many arts and cultural festivals to welcome audiences, engage with artists and create exciting cultural events. From Dublin Theatre Festival to First Fortnight and from IMRAM to the Irish literature Festival these partnerships are a vital part of their annual programme.
- SCENE + HEARD
Arts and cultureSCENE + HEARD This year, we’re proud to present 108 new shows - from comedy, theatre, music, dance, drag, acrobatics (both verbal + physical), to poetry, puppetry, hip-hop, opera, musical theatre and visual art.
- Block 51 - Salty Grace | A Swimmer's Guide
Arts and cultureBlock 51 - Salty Grace | A Swimmer's Guide Scene + Heard 2026 is here! Join us for 108 new shows - from comedy, theatre, music, dance, drag, acrobatics, to poetry, puppetry, hip-hop, opera, musical theatre and visual art.
- Block 47 - Outgrown | GG Banshee: She's Lost the Plot
Arts and cultureBlock 47 - Outgrown | GG Banshee: She's Lost the Plot Scene + Heard 2026 is here! Join us for 108 new shows - from comedy, theatre, music, dance, drag, acrobatics, to poetry, puppetry, hip-hop, opera, musical theatre and visual art.
- Block 50 - Lost the Plot: An Improvised Musical
Arts and cultureBlock 50 - Lost the Plot: An Improvised Musical Scene + Heard 2026 is here! Join us for 108 new shows - from comedy, theatre, music, dance, drag, acrobatics, to poetry, puppetry, hip-hop, opera, musical theatre and visual art.
- Block 46 - Civil | John Doe
Arts and cultureBlock 46 - Civil | John Doe Scene + Heard 2026 is here! Join us for 108 new shows - from comedy, theatre, music, dance, drag, acrobatics, to poetry, puppetry, hip-hop, opera, musical theatre and visual art.
- Block 49 - Ochón | PIPE DOWN
Arts and cultureBlock 49 - Ochón | PIPE DOWN Scene + Heard 2026 is here! Join us for 108 new shows - from comedy, theatre, music, dance, drag, acrobatics, to poetry, puppetry, hip-hop, opera, musical theatre and visual art.
- Block 48 - Solitary Confinement | Mr. Fahrenheit
Arts and cultureBlock 48 - Solitary Confinement | Mr. Fahrenheit Scene + Heard 2026 is here! Join us for 108 new shows - from comedy, theatre, music, dance, drag, acrobatics, to poetry, puppetry, hip-hop, opera, musical theatre and visual art.
- Block 55 - Mermaids Have No Tears
Arts and cultureBlock 55 - Mermaids Have No Tears Scene + Heard 2026 is here! Join us for 108 new shows - from comedy, theatre, music, dance, drag, acrobatics, to poetry, puppetry, hip-hop, opera, musical theatre and visual art.
